Goal: Commend The Spurs for defending Mexican-American boy who was racially harassed after signing National Anthem at NBA finals

When Darius Rucker canceled plans to sing the National Anthem at Game 3 of the NBA finals, 11-year-old Sebastian De La Cruz was asked to step in. He blew the crowd away, but shortly after Twitter and Facebook feeds were shrouded with racial slurs against De La Cruz, criticizing his mariachi suit and whether a Mexican-American should be singing the National Anthem. De La Cruz responded with stoic maturity for an 11 year old, commenting, “It doesn’t matter what other people think about me, it only matters what I think of myself.” The Spurs responded to the racist outburst by asking him to sing at the very next game, a firm rub in the faces of those who denounced De La Cruz.

Twitter erupted with comments like, “…they prolly made him sing to stay in America,” and “Why is a little Mexican singing the Star Spangled Banner?” the latter reaffirming what is already known: racism lays with the ignorant. Spurs coach Greg Popovich blasted the critics with, “…they’re idiots who are proud of their ignorance.”

It would have been easy for the team to ignore the racist comments and carry on with the rest of finals, but their effort to reach out to De La Cruz deserves acknowledgment and praise. It’s too often that people don’t stand up for what is right, but this act of compassion shows it is worth it. After all, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, it only matters what you think of yourself. Commend The San Antonio Spurs for adding a little light to a dimming world.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear San Antonio Spurs,

The unfortunate backlash of racism across social media networks was heartbreaking and infuriating, especially being aimed at an 11 year old. It’s hard to be heard over vile comments like the ones aimed at Sebastian, but asking him to sing at Game 4 to send the message that racism is not tolerated was a graceful blow to the nation’s racist collective. I’d like to send a big ‘thank you’ to everyone for such a compassionate gesture.

Racists in America are akin to chihuahuas: they have a loud, annoying bark followed with no bite. Fortunately their kind is a dying breed that will soon simmer out. Being that eight of your fifteen players were internationally born, and that San Antonio is 65 percent Hispanic makes it no surprise that you would empathize with what Sebastian is going through. It would have been easy for your team to turn a blind eye to the incident, but you stood up for what was right. Thank you!

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: RMTip21

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